78 !Mr. E. Gibson on the Oniithdloyy of [Ibis, 



coast, I have found it Avandering inland during the summer 

 mouths, as uell as in the cold season. Ou these occasions 

 the number was small ; so much so that when the attrac- 

 tion of carrion drew together as mau}'^ as a dozen, I was 

 much impressed by the fact. Even in the old days, when 

 our private " Graseria^^ (sheep boiling-dowu establishment) 

 was in operation for two or three months at a time, '''jDerfum- 

 ing tlie circumambient atmosphere/' and the corresponding 

 amount of offal drew together immense numbers of the 

 Cayenne Ibis, the Carancho and ChimangOj and both the 

 smaller Larida3 {cirrhocephalasi and maculipennis), the Domi- 

 nican Gull never exceeded perha[)S a score. The most 

 attractive bait in the shape of carrion for this species is a 

 dead horse or mare, after the hide has been taken off. A 

 cow or sheep may possibly draw one or two individuals, 

 along with the other birds mentioned above ; but the carcass 

 of the equine quadruped, especially if very fat, is a certain 

 rendezvous for a pair or even a dozen of the Dominican 

 Gull. These remain in possession for various days (possibly 

 a week), keeping at a respectful distance all other would- 

 be partakers of the feast (though I have known them 

 held off in their turn by the Chilian Sea-Eagle), and only 

 Avithdraw at dusk to some open pool in the vicinity, where 

 they would seem to pass the night. The proximity of the 

 carcass to a human habitation seems a matter of indifference, 

 and has no deterrent effect, though at other times I do not 

 think I would call it a confiding bird ; it might best be 

 described as both bold and wild, not afraid of man, but 

 contemptuous of him and all his works — a creature of the 

 stormy and lonely seas, and of the solitary plains. 



The cries also are typical of the species, clamour of 

 long hoarse calls to each other, loud chorus of inhuman 

 laughter as they wrangle over their feast, and a high and 

 sad double-note recalling great oceans and wandering 

 sea-fowl. Sui generis ! Who does not recall similarly the 

 Curlew's note by shore or moor, and the memory of the 

 environs it always brings back to him ? 



1 once reared and kept a young bird for a couple of years 



